Eco-sensitivity limit reduced to mere 100 metres

The Punjab cabinet on Friday gave its nod to keep only 100-metre 'eco-sensitive zone' for all sanctuaries in the state, drastically reducing the limit from the existing 10 kilometres.

The decision has been taken keeping in view the overall growth, including industrialisation. Besides, after this decision the state would no more have to seek approval from the Centre for construction of roads and setting up of industrial units, an official spokesman here said.

Prevention of human smuggling

The cabinet also approved the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Rules, 2013, for regulating the trade of travel agencies and consultants. According to these rules, a travel agent or consultant would have to seek a licence from the state government by depositing the requisite documents along with a prescribed fee. The licence valid for five years would be renewed after the submission of the renewable fee.

PUDA funds

The cabinet also gave nod to a proposal for the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) to mobilise funds up to Rs 1,000 crore from banks/financial institutions against certain immovable assets of the state.

Sub-committee to re-structure PWSSB

The cabinet also approved to constitute a cabinet sub-committee for re-structuring Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) under the chairmanship of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Water cess from farmers

The cabinet also decided to rationalise the collection of water rates by charging the existing water cess at Rs 150 per acre per year from the farmers for using the canal water for irrigation purposes only.

Funds for Isru village

As a befitting tribute to the martyr of Goa Liberation Movement Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, the cabinet decided to undertake upgrade of the road leading to Issru village in Ludhiana district, adding more rooms to the existing school in the village and also sanctioned funds for repairing the martyr's ancestral house.

Rs 1,000-cr loans for roads

The cabinet also approved the scheme for accelerated upgrade of state roads by raising funds of Rs 1,000 crore from the financial institutions through the Punjab Road and Bridges Development Board to upgrade the roads. "After completion of upgrade, the roads would be put to tolling contracts and the revenue received would be utilised to re-pay the loan," the spokesman said.